Melendez homer sinks Peppers

GATONIA, N.C. – Ivan Melendez broke up a classic pitcher’s duel with a three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning to lead the High Point Rockers to a 3-0 win over the Gastonia Ghost Peppers on Sunday afternoon at CaroMont Health Park.

The contest marked the final road game of the season for the Rockers.

Melendez’s homer was just the third hit of the game for the Rockers who could not solve Gastonia starter Craig Stem. A former Rocker, Stem held High Point hitless until Quincy Nieporte led off the top of the fifth with a single up the middle. But Stem was able to retire Mikey Kane, Ty Hubbard and Nolan Watson to keep the game scoreless.

McKinley Moore (L, 1-3) came on in the ninth of the scoreless game and after striking out Aidan Brewer, allowed a line single to center to Ethan Skender. After a walk to Luke Napleton put two aboard, Melendez hit his 21^st homer of the year to left field to give the Rockers a 3-0 lead. Colin Davis followed with a single and, after stealing second, scored on a single by Quincy Nieporte.

High Point starter Justin Dunn tossed five shutout innings, allowing just one hit, while walking three and striking out five in his best outing of the season. The lone hit allowed by Dunn was a one out single to Cole Roederer in the second inning. Roederer advanced to third before Dunn retired the side.

Lefty Cody Whitten put the Ghost Peppers down in order in the sixth, Nick Timpanelli pitched around a double in the seventh and Alec Barger (W, 2-4) tossed a 1-2-3 inning in the eighth. Ryan Chasse came on in the ninth and allowed a pair of hits before striking out Jace Rinehart to end the game and record his 10^th save of the season.

Rockers pitchers combined to hold the Ghost Peppers to four hits while striking out eight.

The Rockers improved to 24-33 in the second half and 53-67 overall. Gastonia was eliminated from contention for the second half South Division championship and now stands 29-28 and 67-53.

After an off-day on Monday, the Rockers will begin their final six-game homestand of the 2026 season. The schedule starts on Tuesday when the Rockers host the Charleston Dirty Birds at 6:35 p.m. at Truist Point. Rocker fans can follow the action live on DugoutTV.org or the audio broadcast on the free app MixLR.